Passionate about the arts are the words that personify Linda Houston Jones. Over the past 18 years, she has successfully lead from vision to reality the premiere non-profit cultural organization, Ashanti Cultural Arts & Enrichment, Inc.Houston Jones often reflects back to her youth growing up in Daytona Beach, FL where her cultural experiences centered on her home, church, school and trips to the theatre. “I was born with a passion for the arts. Whether I was a performer or patron, the arts always brought me joy, inner peace and a sense of pride. The arts always gave me a way to express who I was. I am committed to providing a way for other youth to experience such joy… and thus you have ASHANTI.

 

     Linda’s passion for the arts can be unfolded through the history of service Houston Jones has provided to the Broward County Community over the years. Houston Jones serves as a grant evaluator for Broward County Cultural Affairs Division, and past founding member of the Board of Directors of Art Serve. Linda’s passion for the arts and giving of her time and talents are also seen through her volunteerism and awards as Board member of the Broward County Diversity Advisory Council, Arts chair of both Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, the North Broward Chapter of The Links, Inc., JM Family African American Achiever in the Arts, 1000+ Club of the American Cancer Society, The Juliette Lowe Award in the Arts by the Broward Girl Scouts, Woman of Distinction of the March of Dimes, The Charmettes, 100 Black Men of Broward, NAACP, the Soroptomist, Price Waterhouse.

 

Linda not only has passion for the arts but is considered a visionary of many first. “Many have had wonder and confess that I would not achieve success. But I have succeeded from the chain of wellness studio’s, the establishing and success of Ashanti, the annual production of “The Chocolate Nutcracker”, providing hundreds of youth with cultural and afterschool programs and most recently sponsoring a five day cultural trip to New York for 15 youth to visit and take classes and tour Julliard School of the Arts, Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem and New York City.“I am so blessed that the community, family and friends share my vision and passion for I know that it is through the giving by others I am able to give.”